Deepening integrated development on cross-Strait relations

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02:41

By having a strong motherland to rely on, the livelihood of our Taiwan compatriots will improve and they will have more space for development, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in Beijing on Wednesday.

Moreover, President Xi added that our Taiwan compatriots will be more assured and confident in the international community, and thus will feel safer and more dignified.

The Chinese president also called on promoting the institutionalization of cross-Strait economic cooperation by building a common market for both the mainland and Taiwan. He also vowed to promote cooperation between the two sides in areas including culture, education and medical cooperation, and to boost the sharing of social welfare and public resources.

President Xi went on to detail the first connection: The building of a bridge between Kinmen, Matsu and the coastal area of Fujian Province in order to better share water, electricity and gas resources.

This will spur development and vitalize cooperation thus strengthening the national economy, he said.

The Chinese president made the remarks during a speech commemorating the 40th anniversary of the mainland's "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan" on Wednesday. Issued by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on January 1, 1979, the "Message" was intended to end the military situation across the Strait through dialogue and encourage exchanges between the two sides.